Liberty County rolls past GHS 35-16

The Liberty County Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-0 lead and cruised to a 35-16 victory over Graceville Friday night in Bristol.

Liberty County improved to 5-1 with the victory, while the Tigers fell to 1-5.

The Bulldogs used their physical offensive line and dangerous option attack to roll down the field for three scores to start the game.

The Tigers answered in the second period with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jacky Miles to Chris Works.

Miles converted the two-point play to cut the deficit to 21-8. However, Liberty County answered back with another touchdown to take a 28-8 advantage into the second half.

Graceville cut into the lead again in the second half, with another long pass from Miles to Works set up a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Miles, who converted the two-point play again to make it 28-16.

The Bulldogs had the answer again with another TD to put the game out of reach.

Graceville coach Todd Wertenberger said that the Bulldogs offense set the tone for the game in the first half.

“They pretty much mashed us in the first quarter,” the coach said. “After that, we started to play a little bit.”

Graceville outscored Liberty County 16-14 after the disastrous start to the game, but the hole was far too deep against a talented Bulldogs team.

“It was a challenge (to defend Liberty County),” Wertenberger said. “Their offensive line really gets off the ball quick, and they kind of took it to us.

“They didn’t get really any big plays except for one long run, they just pounded us for 3-4 yards at a time and kept getting first downs. They’re a good offensive team, and very hard to stop.”

The Tigers’ offense, however, wasn’t able sustain drives for most of the night.

“For whatever reason, our offensive line didn’t block well at all,” Wertenberger said. “(Liberty County defenders) were getting off our blocks. They were a lot smaller than us on the defensive front, but they made us look bad.”

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Tigers, who stay on the road next week to face an explosive Jefferson County team in a district game that could determine who gets the second playoff spot in District 1-1B.

“We have to beat Jefferson if we want to make the playoffs,” Wertenberger said, “or else we’ll be just playing for pride.”